Tsai's response to Xi: 'Taiwan does exist'

Tsai says Xi disregards fact that 'Taiwan does exist'

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Three days after China's President Xi Jinping gave a speech in which he rehashed the Chinese Communist Party's stance on "one China," "one country, two systems," and the mythological "1992 consensus," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday (Jan. 5) responded that "Taiwan does exist," during a press briefing on that day.

On Saturday in the Presidential Office, Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), in a press conference said that last week's speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping raised the specter of two fundamental dangers the communist country posses to Taiwan's freedom and democracy.

First, Tsai said that Xi's emphasis on "one China" and "one country, two systems," particularly in the context of the so-called "1992 Consensus," indicated his intention to force Taiwan to unify with China. Tsai countered this by saying, "This is a major disregard of the fact that the ROC, Taiwan does exist, and is in full operation like all other democratic countries."

Second, Tsai aid that Beijing's plans to communicate directly with political parities rather than the official government of Taiwan is a "deliberate campaign to undermine and subvert our democratic process and create division in our society." She said that while Taiwan is making every effort to avoid provocation and miscommunication, such actions by China are "unhelpful" and "contrary to democratic practices."

Tsai then posted a Tweet that same day with a link to the remarks emphasizing that, unlike Communist China, Taiwan operates like other democracies in the world and as the democratically chosen leader of the country, it is her duty to project the democratic values and way of life in the country.

The Republic of China, #Taiwan operates exactly like all other democracies around the world. As the democratically elected president of this country, my most important responsibility is to defend our democratic values & way of life. My English remarks: https://t.co/L69wI2pWCtpic.twitter.com/7R91vWqs2e